Mindfulness: The Key to Equanimity

Definition of equanimityplural equanimities1 : evenness of mind especially under stress <nothing could disturb his equanimity>

When you’re performing your best at work, what is your underlying state of being? This was the opening question of Janene Liston’s talk “Mindfulness-Based Emotional Intelligence” at our March Main Meeting. Answers like “focused,” “calm,” and “composed” sounded from the audience.

But for a lot of us, we spend a significant time at work feeling heightened levels of stress that manifest itself in physical symptoms:

accelerated heart-beat

tension in jaws and shoulders

stomach aches

sweating

Do you notice a physiological change when you get an email notification? That’s the opposite of equanimity!

Practicing mindfulness is a solution to finding equanimity, but don’t take our word for it: Janene, a skeptic, did her research and shared with us the many scientific studies that show how mindfulness can change the shape of your brain. These studies are based on the phenomenon of neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. It was the science that turned Janene into a believer and why she now has made it her mission to share with others the power of mindfulness.

Janene suggested several apps, books and courses to help us on our way to finding equanimity – I’ll share a few of them are here:

“One Moment Meditation” (free app)

10% Happier by Dan Harris (book)

MBSR courses (Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction)

She also offers courses and community practice (monthly mindfulness events) – don’t hesitate to contact her for more info at janene.liston@blueiwn.ch!

PWG thanks Janene for her insightful and interactive presentation, and we hope to see her again very soon! A special thank you goes out to our volunteer photographer Mitch Mendez – check out the photos he took below!

Janene Liston is a graduate of the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute’s advanced mindful leadership program – Engage. She is an experienced corporate global leaderand facilitator, an accomplished public speaker (2012 Toastmasters European Humorous Speech Champion), and enjoys learning, sharing, and creating ideas. She has a BS in Architectural Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and spent 20+ years working in engineering, marketing and pricing in a variety of industries.

Janene believes that within each of us lies all the wisdomwe need to thrive in life and therefore has a deep passion for creating and holding space to learn, discover and create insight.